The center sits on land that was formerly the site of a World War II coastal defense station, Fort Dearborn.
Odiorne Point, where the center is located, features one of the most diverse concentrations of geological and ecological habitats in New Hampshire.
The facility manages the Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue program, which responds to stranded marine animals along the New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts coastline.
The building integrates interpretive displays regarding the history of the site, including remnants of military bunkers found in the surrounding state park.
The touch tanks are specifically designed to replicate the tidal zones of the local New England rocky shore.
The Seacoast Science Center is situated within Odiorne Point State Park, focusing on the ecology of the Gulf of Maine. The facility features indoor touch tanks containing local marine species like sea stars, urchins, and hermit crabs. It serves as a hub for marine mammal rescue, providing rehabilitation information and exhibits on local whale and seal populations. Educational displays highlight the rocky shore, salt marsh, and sandy beach habitats that characterize the immediate coastline. The center offers rotating seasonal exhibits and utilizes natural history collections to explain regional biodiversity. It functions as a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.
The rocky shoreline directly behind the museum at low tide, with the historic military observation towers in the background.
Combine your museum visit with a walk along the Odiorne Point State Park trails to see the military ruins and tide pools.
Check the tide charts before arriving if you plan to explore the beach directly outside the center.
Bring binoculars as the park is a prime location for spotting migratory birds and seals offshore.
Do not mistake the nearby military bunker remnants for play structures; they are restricted historic sites.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; hours may vary significantly between summer and winter months.
Handle marine animals only under the direct supervision of center staff during designated touch-tank sessions.
